Royal Palace of La Almudaina
The Palace of La Almudaina is located in front of the Cathedral and was built on the site of an old Muslim palace. Then, it became the place of residence of the Mallorcan royalty. Palma was founded by the Roman consul Quintus Cecilius Metelus in 123 BC and the first centre of the city developed around the Palace of La Almudaina.
The tortuous streets that surround the historical neighbourhood house the headquarters of the Mallorca Museum and the palace of Ca la Gran Cristiana. The latter was restored in the 19th century and contains different archaeological discoveries, antics and paintings by local dignitaries.
The current structure of La Almudaina corresponds to the structure that was built in the 14th century. It has several areas. The King’s and the Queen’s palace, St. Anne’s Chapel and the Arab baths are the most important features.
Its decoration presents two atmospheres: the ground floor is of medieval style and contains works from the 15th- 20th century, while the upstairs area is used to hold the Royal Family’s official events.
The main entrance to the Palace of La Almudaina leads to the King’s courtyard, where you can find St. Anne’s Chapel, built at the beginning of the 14th century and attributed to Ponç Descoll.
The portal of the Gothic chapel is of slightly Roman archaistic tradition and features semicircular archivolts on sculptured capitals that are decorated with fantastic animals.
The most outstanding elements of the palace chapel are the St. Praxedes’ Chapel, located beneath an image that dates from 1458, and the throne room from the 14th century with huge pointed diaphragm arches that support a ceiling identical to the ceiling of the Palace of the Kings of Mallorca in Perpignan.
La Almudaina is currently the headquarters of the General Captaincy of the Balearic Islands and contains a great number of works of art: Flemish tapestries (16th – 17th century) that depict events of the Spanish history; Spanish tapestries (17th – 18th century); and banners with passages of the Battle of Lepanto, when in 1571 the Spanish and Venetian fleet defeated the Ottoman Turks. The Palace is the Spanish Royal Family’s official residence, although when they visit the island, they are more likely to be found at the Marivent Palace.
Entrance Fee: 3.20 €
Wednesdays: Free entry for all citizens of the European Union
Royal Palace of La Almudaina
Arab origin.Gothic style (14th century).
C/ Palau Reial, unnumbered
Tel. 971 214 134